Hanna downgraded to tropical storm, for now

Raleigh, N.C. — The National Hurricane Center has downgraded Hanna to a tropical storm but says it could still regain hurricane strength and threaten the southeast United States by the end of the week.

Gov. Mike Easley activated the State Emergency Response Team as of 7 a.m. Tuesday to prepare in case the system moved toward North Carolina.

“Basically, we all have 36 to 48 hours to get prepared for this storm, and then there could be another one right behind it,” Easley said in a statement, referring to Tropical Storm Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine farther east in the Atlantic Ocean. “So, it is very important for everybody to have their emergency kit, including three days of food, funds, fuel and clothes, ready and have their evacuation plan in place.”

Forecasters say Hanna's center is very near Great Inagua Island and drifting west-southwest at 5 mph. The storm is expected to move over the southeastern Bahamas Tuesday and into the central Bahamas Tuesday night and Wednesday.

The storm's top sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph – the threshold for hurricane winds is 74 mph. It could regain hurricane strength later Tuesday or Wednesday and threaten the southeast United States by the end of the week.

“We will likely see some effect by Hanna down the road on Friday," WRAL Meteorologist Mike Maze said Tuesday.

Although its path is still uncertain, Easley said Monday that state officials have been preparing for Hanna, and he urged residents to do the same.

"We can't get caught waiting for the storm to make up its mind where it will go," Easley said.

Plans were being developed based on the scenarios of Hurricane Hugo’s track in 1989 that made landfall in Charleston, S.C., and traveled up through Charlotte and into the mountains and Hurricane Fran in 1996 that came ashore near Wilmington and moved northwest into the Triangle area.

The state has put its various specially trained storm teams on alert. They include 25 Swift Water Rescue Teams, 11 Urban Search and Rescue Teams, 36 Wilderness Search and Rescue Teams, 34 State Medical Assistance Teams, seven Public Health Regional Surveillance Teams and seven Regional Response Teams for hazardous materials.

The state emergency warehouse already has food on hand to feed 50,000 people for a day-and-a-half and water for 50,000 people for one day. The state has pre-arranged contracts in place for additional resources including food, water, ice, generators and other emergency needs.

The North Carolina National Guard also was on standby to respond to any recovery and relief efforts.

Hanna ground away at the Bahamas and other Atlantic islands on Tuesday, snapping trees and keeping Providenciales, capital of the Turks and Caicos islands, without power. It hurled rains that caused flooding across Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, where at least one college student died in a rain-swollen river.

Hanna comes one day after Hurricane Gustav plowed into Louisiana before downgrading early Tuesday to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph at 5 a.m. At least eight deaths were attributed to the storm in the U.S after it killed at least 94 people across the Caribbean.

But New Orleans, still recovering three year after Hurricane Katrina, was largely spared, but a mandatory evacuation order and curfew remained in effect, and nearly 80,000 remained without power after the storm damaged transmission lines that snapped like rubber bands in the wind and knocked 35 substations out of service. (Compare Gustav to Katrina.)

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Ike was cruising westward across the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph and was projected to near the storm-weary Bahamas by Sunday. It had winds of 50 mph and was expected to grow stronger.

And Tropical Storm Josephine emerged as a new threat in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

It's still too early to tell whether those storms will pose a threat to the U.S., Maze said.

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is...Read More

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is bringing rain to the Gulf Coast. The latest tonight.

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is...Read More

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is bringing rain to the Gulf Coast. The latest tonight.

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is...Read More

A Look at the Radar: Lots going on in weather across the country. A weak cold front is popping a few showers in Virginia - those may stay together and move through overnight - and Tropical Storm Cristobal is bringing rain to the Gulf Coast. The latest tonight.

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could...Read More

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could influence our weather this evening on WRAL News.

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could...Read More

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could influence our weather this evening on WRAL News.

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could...Read More

This Evening: The few showers that are popping up will stay southeast of our area. We will have a warm and partly cloudy evening. The latest forecast with a breakdown on how Tropical Storm Cristobal could influence our weather this evening on WRAL News.

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a...Read More

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a relief in temperatures.

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a...Read More

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a relief in temperatures.

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a...Read More

If you are going to spend an extended period of time outside today, wear light colored clothing and stay hydrated. Highs will be in the lower 90s. Coming up on WRAL, I'll show you what system will soon bring a relief in temperatures.

Cristobal has moved over water and has become a tropical storm again. It is moving north and will close in on the Louisiana coast Sunday. It is expected to be a strong tropical storm at landfall Sunday night.

Cristobal has moved over water and has become a tropical storm again. It is moving north and will close in on the Louisiana coast Sunday. It is expected to be a strong tropical storm at landfall Sunday night.

Cristobal has moved over water and has become a tropical storm again. It is moving north and will close in on the Louisiana coast Sunday. It is expected to be a strong tropical storm at landfall Sunday night.

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner....Read More

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner. What are your plans this weekend?
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/t0ntNsKHuR

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner....Read More

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner. What are your plans this weekend?
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/t0ntNsKHuR

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner....Read More

Happy Friday! There's only a 30% chance of storms for your dinner forecast tonight. Storm chances will increase again tonight between 8 PM and midnight. Turn on WRAL at 4 for your hour-by-hour weekend planner. What are your plans this weekend?
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/t0ntNsKHuR

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest Futurecast runs on our newscasts this afternoon.

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest Futurecast runs on our newscasts this afternoon.

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center expanded our Severe Threat for this afternoon. It now includes most of our counties. The most lilkely time for severe storms will be this evening. Mike and Kat will have the latest Futurecast runs on our newscasts this afternoon.

Happy Friday! We are watching a few showers this morning, but scattered storms will be with us later today. Not everyone will see rain and storms today as these are those summertime storms that remain spotty.

Happy Friday! We are watching a few showers this morning, but scattered storms will be with us later today. Not everyone will see rain and storms today as these are those summertime storms that remain spotty.

Happy Friday! We are watching a few showers this morning, but scattered storms will be with us later today. Not everyone will see rain and storms today as these are those summertime storms that remain spotty.

Most storms today have stayed to our north and west. Rain and storm chances will be increasing tomorrow. Turn on FOX50 at 10 for tomorrow's storm timeline.
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/ffJa4irXGs

Most storms today have stayed to our north and west. Rain and storm chances will be increasing tomorrow. Turn on FOX50 at 10 for tomorrow's storm timeline.
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/ffJa4irXGs

Most storms today have stayed to our north and west. Rain and storm chances will be increasing tomorrow. Turn on FOX50 at 10 for tomorrow's storm timeline.
@wralweather #ncwx #wral https://t.co/ffJa4irXGs

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable...Read More

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable tomorrow.

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable...Read More

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable tomorrow.

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable...Read More

With dew points in the 70s in many locations this afternoon we are feeling a difference today with heat index values in the mid-upper 90s. Keep cool into the evening. It should not be quite as uncomfortable tomorrow.

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking any developing storms on TV this evening.

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking any developing storms on TV this evening.

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking...Read More

The Storm Prediction Center shrunk the area covered by our level one risk for severe storms this afternoon. The Triangle is no longer in the risk area but counties near VA are. Mike and Kat will be tracking any developing storms on TV this evening.

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging...Read More

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging winds. On TV I'll show you the tiimeline on futurecast.

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging...Read More

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging winds. On TV I'll show you the tiimeline on futurecast.

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging...Read More

We have a level one risk for severe storms this afternoon from the triangle north and west. There is a 20% chance of storms so most of us won't see them. But storms that do develop could produce some damaging winds. On TV I'll show you the tiimeline on futurecast.

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm...Read More

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Cristobal as it moves towards the Yucatan Peninsula.

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm...Read More

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Cristobal as it moves towards the Yucatan Peninsula.

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm...Read More

Today's Headlines: It's going to be warm again today and that will spawn a few storms this afternoon. Most of that activity will stay west and northwest of Raleigh. We are also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Cristobal as it moves towards the Yucatan Peninsula.

What a gorgeous end to the day on Lake Gaston where a lot of folks went to beat the first heat of June. We have more heat ahead for Thursday with a small chance for afternoon storms on the lake. Stay cool.

What a gorgeous end to the day on Lake Gaston where a lot of folks went to beat the first heat of June. We have more heat ahead for Thursday with a small chance for afternoon storms on the lake. Stay cool.

What a gorgeous end to the day on Lake Gaston where a lot of folks went to beat the first heat of June. We have more heat ahead for Thursday with a small chance for afternoon storms on the lake. Stay cool.